Psychology Degree in Lawrence, KS — Salary & ROI 2026
Psychology degree analysis for Lawrence, KS. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$48K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$70K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.8 yrs
in Lawrence
Cost of Living
108
index (100 = avg)
Psychology in Lawrence, KS Overview
While Lawrence has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Psychology students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $12,971/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Psychology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Research Methods and Statistics. The adjusted starting salary in Lawrence is approximately $47,520.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$5,898/yr
Private Tuition
$33,400/yr
Room & Board
$12,971/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$12,187/yr
Unemployment
6.5%
Graduation Rate
53%
Psychology Salary in Lawrence (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Lawrence's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Psychology salary: $44,000 starting, $65,000 mid-career, $82,000 senior level.Lawrence adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.
Psychology ROI Calculator for Lawrence
Estimate your return on investment for a Psychology degree using local Lawrence tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $5,898 | Private avg: $33,400
Lawrence avg aid: $12,187/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$75,476
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$9,720
vs HS diploma in Lawrence
ROI Payback Period
7.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Lawrence
$270,124
Lifetime earnings premium ($345,600) minus total education cost ($75,476)
Student Loan Payoff for Psychology in Lawrence
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Lawrence for Psychology
University of Kansas
public
$11,166/yr
$44,664 total
Haskell Indian Nations University
public
$630/yr
$2,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Johnson County Community College
$3,564/yr
Top Employers for Psychology in Lawrence
Lawrence offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Psychology graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Lawrence Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Psychology Job Titles
Psychology in Nearby Kansas Cities
Wichita, KS
$46K starting · COL 104
20 colleges
Overland Park, KS
$45K starting · COL 103
13 colleges
Kansas City, KS
$36K starting · COL 82.5
6 colleges
Olathe, KS
$43K starting · COL 96.8
6 colleges
Topeka, KS
$37K starting · COL 84
14 colleges
Shawnee, KS
$38K starting · COL 86.5
3 colleges
Lenexa, KS
$42K starting · COL 96.2
3 colleges
Manhattan, KS
$42K starting · COL 95
6 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Lawrence
International Relations
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$52K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Geography
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$54K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$54K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$54K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$48K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Psychology Degree in Lawrence — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Psychology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Lawrence.